Numbers 12:11-16

11 he said to Moses, "Please, sir, do not make us suffer this punishment for our foolish sin.

12 Don't let her become like something born dead with half its flesh eaten away."

13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, "O God, heal her!"

14 The Lord answered, "If her father had spit in her face, she would have to bear her disgrace for seven days. So let her be shut out of the camp for a week, and after that she can be brought back in." ¹

15 Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she was brought back in.

16 Then they left Hazeroth and set up camp in the wilderness of Paran.

Numbers 12:11-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBER 12

In this chapter we have an account of Aaron and Miriam speaking against Moses, and for what reason, whose amiable character is given, Nu 12:1-3; and of the Lord's calling them to him, and rebuking them for it, giving an excellent testimony to Moses, and then departing in anger, Nu 12:4-9; and of Miriam's being smitten with leprosy, and Aaron's entreating Moses on his and her account, who prayed to the Lord to heal her, Nu 12:10-13; and of her being ordered to be shut out of the camp seven days, during which time the Israelites stayed at Hazeroth, and then removed to the wilderness of Paran, Nu 12:14-16.

Cross References

• 1. 12.14Numbers 5.2, 3.